San Quentin State Prison Class Descriptions

IPP serves an average of 250+ men per month by offering 20+ weekly classes inside San Quentin State Prison. These classes cover topics from victim-offender education, to violence prevention, to emotional literacy, to mind/body health.

VICTIM OFFENDER EDUCATION GROUP (VOEG)VOEG (Northblock/Westblock and H-Unit)(7 groups at present) Each group is facilitated by an IPP staff member/or highly trained volunteer and an inmate peer facilitator. VOEG is an intensive 6-8 month training for inmates who wish to understand themselves better, how their life experiences and decisions led them to prison and how their crimes have impacted their victim(s). The purpose of the training is to help the offenders understand and take responsibility for the impact of the crime(s) they have committed. The class ends with participants meeting a panel of victims for a healing dialogue.VOEG, Next Step (Northblock/Westblock) This group is for inmates who have graduated from the initial intensive VOEG program, who wish to continue the work of implementing and practicing the tools they have learned and apply them to their every day lives with each other, family and friends. Participants make a one year commitment to this program and are often called on to participate in dialogues and trainings with victims, victims rights groups, universities and other individuals and institutions wanting to learn about the VOEG process and restorative justice in corrections. Those who complete this year long commitment step up to become Stewards of VOEG. This program also invites the participants to give something back to their community in one way or another.

VIOLENCE PREVENTIONMANALIVE (Violence Prevention: Marin County Probation Certified Domestic Violence Program) (H-Unit) This program offers an in-depth study into transforming violent behavior by helping participants to understand the origins of their anger and develop skills to track and manage strong impulses before acting on them. The course comprehensively covers various aspects of committing violent acts, and specifically investigates different contexts (gang violence, violence to partners, man-to-man violence) in which violence is perceived as a viable option. The program also investigates how violent behavior has emerged as part of the cultural image of an authoritative male stereotype. IPP is certified as a Domestic Violence/Batters Intervention Program Provider by the county of Marin. Participants can gain credit for this class if they have been court ordered to complete a DV/BI program. Completing 52 weeks of this course is a pre-requisite for enrolling in IPP’s Violence Prevention Facilitator’s Training.

Violence Prevention Facilitator Training (offered only every few years) This program trains participants to become violence prevention facilitators or counselors specializing in domestic violence facilitation. The program culminates with a special vocational training for State certification in Domestic Violence/ Batterers Intervention facilitation. This course provides a unique job-skill for incarcerated men to apply what they have learned in the DV/Batterers Intervention and GRIP Programs to prevent and transform the violence of other offenders. As participants in the program they teach and mentor other prisoners, and upon release can qualify for positions as professional facilitators for court ordered anger management programs. Enrollment in this training requires completion of 52 weeks in IPP’s Domestic Violence/Batterers Intervention Training and six months of involvement in the GRIP Program.

EMOTIONAL LITERACY AND MIND/BODY INTEGRATIONYoga (Northblock/Westblock and H-Unit)(4 classes) This program offers a highly effective practice for stress reduction and mental/emotional/physical well-being. Classes engage students in a practice of self-awareness while instilling non-reactivity and self-acceptance. In addition to physical and contemplative “exercises,” the ethical code of conduct and behavior that define a Yoga practitioner’s way of life is underscored. Discipline of the mind and body is emphasized as conducive to physical and psychological well-being. The relevance of Yoga as a practice for developing self-control is explored, particularly as it applies to violence prevention and addiction recovery.

The Work (Northblock/Westblock and H-Unit)(2 classes) This is a cognitive restructuring class wherein students learn to employ critical thinking to become aware of “self-talk” and to re-frame thinking errors that impact one’s emotional well-being and behavior. Based on the work of Bryon Katie and the notion that much of one’s thinking if left unexamined can be distorted or faulty, and what causes anger, upset or depression is most often how a person views and interprets circumstances. Click here for more information about The Work.

Brothers’ Keepers - Crisis Intervention Training (Northblock/Westblock) Brothers’ Keepers is a peer education initiative and inmate response team professionally trained and certified in crisis intervention. Members serve as intermediaries for inmates who are suicidal or experiencing mental health crises that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Pre-Parole/ Staying Out (H-Unit) This pre-parole preparation class is facilitated by a former offender, now a State certified addiction counselor, and focuses on crafting a successful parole plan. Sessions includes topics such as: parolee navigation skills, communications and listening skills, establishing a safe place, identifying addictive emotions, early-warning signs of relapse, the role of family and community, relationship skills, employment issues, and the role of spirituality.

Contact Us

Phone: 415-459-9800

Email: Info@InsightPrisonProject.org

Mailing Address:PO Box 29​San Quentin, CA 94964

Our Mission

Transforming the lives of those impacted by crime and incarceration through evidenced-based programs designed to develop behavior inspired by insight, accountability, and compassion.